Chapter 25

A few days later, Annabel received a video from an unfamiliar number. In the footage, Tristan was crawling on his knees on a steep mountain path, each step landing heavily on jagged stone. His knees were torn and bloodied, leaving a trail of red along the winding road. This was the same sanctuary where she once had a beaded bracelet blessed for him. In the background, Steven reported in a soft voice. "Mr. Morse has been here for three days. The priest says he's praying for…" "Delete it," Annabel said, closing the video. "No need to report on him anymore." She walked to the safe and pulled out a share transfer agreement. After signing her name, she paused for a moment before pulling out a sticky note. Her pen hovered for a long time. She then finally wrote, "We're even." Tristan was lying in one of the sanctuary's guest rooms when he received the file. He had been burning up, his mind in a fog. The priest handed him a cup of warm tea and sighed. "Sir, holding on too tightly